Chicago Tribune launches local video site

Michael Gay December 17th, 2007

Newspapers continue their emphasis on video, and the latest effort is by Chicago Tribune Interactive with the launch of chicagolive.com. Billed as showcasing video from professionals and UGC content, the site already has a hefty collection of video, thanks to the multiple divisions of the Tribune’s TV, Cable and Interactive divisions. Interestingly, I’ve also found video from off-site linked to, including video from competitors to the Trib’s TV division. Those additions surprised me since they won’t be able to sell pre-roll ads. Still, an impressive entry into the local video vertical.

NEW LOCAL VIDEO WEBSITE MAKES A GRAND ENTRANCE IN CHICAGO

Get News, Information or Your ‘15 Minutes of Fame’ on chicagolive.com

CHICAGO, December 17, 2007 – Chicagolive.com – a new local website that debuts today and features video content about Chicago, by Chicago and for Chicago – gives local users a chance to share their video creations in a uniquely Chicago setting, surrounded by videos from both professionals and amateurs alike. Produced by Chicago Tribune Interactive, chicagolive.com provides a chance to tell stories about the Windy City in a different way.

In addition to user-submitted footage, chicagolive.com aggregates video content from professional sources like Chicago Tribune, CLTV, WGN-TV and others – as well as Chicago-centric videos collected from sites across the Internet.

“Video continues to become an important and growing part of the Internet and our online business,” said Alison Scholly, Chicago Tribune vice president and general manager / Chicago Tribune Interactive. “Chicagolive.com serves our customers by creating a unique and visually engaging environment for users to post or view videos and for advertisers to promote their messages.”

Unlike similar video sites geared primarily toward entertainment, chicagolive.com will also carry a strong news and information component, offering a way for local citizen journalists to file video reports from their communities and post them alongside professionally produced video news segments.

Starting today through Monday, December 31, chicagolive.com will hold its “Funniest Holiday Videos” contest, asking Chicagoans to submit their best footage. The winning video will be featured on the chicagolive.com homepage on New Year’s Day and will also be broadcast on CLTV. Go to chicagolive.com for more information and to upload your videos.

About chicagolive.com
Chicagolive.com, a production of Chicago Tribune Interactive, is a Chicago-based website that features “must-see” videos from both amateur and professional Chicago videomakers alongside content from professional Chicago news sources like Chicago Tribune, RedEye, CLTV, Metromix and WGN-TV. Focused on the Windy City and the people who live in it, chicagolive.com offers entertainment and information in a visually engaging and relevant way. If it’s great video and it’s about Chicago, find it at www.chicagolive.com.

About Chicago Tribune Company

Chicago Tribune Company publishes the Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper with daily readership of about 1.8 million and about 2.6 million on Sunday. The company also operates related print and interactive media serving Chicagoland. Chicago Tribune is the founding publication of Tribune Company, one of the country’s leading media companies, operating businesses in broadcasting, publishing and on the Internet.